Stellar Blue took the former Asante Salon strip mall space south of Copps in Neenah. / Maureen Wallenfang/The Post-Crescent

Written by

Maureen Wallenfang

Post-Crescent staff writer

The new Stellar Blue sign that went up Wednesday at 1580 Lyon Drive in Neenah — on a strip mall storefront behind Zuppas and one building south of Copps — doesn’t spell out that this business is a techie kind of thing.

Given that this spot had a long history as a hair salon, most recently Asante Salon, people may be forgiven if they stop in, as one woman did last week, looking to buy shampoo.

It’s actually now a technology training studio where groups of up to 30 people can take classes to figure out what to do with smartphones and tablets. Hands-on workshops include instructions on how to use devices, understand social media or create digital marketing.

“One woman who was in real estate called and said she heard at a seminar that all real estate people need to have tablets,” said Amanda Betts, Stellar Blue’s marketing director. “She bought one and said that all she has on it so far are 400 pictures of her kid. She and five of her co-workers came in and we showed them how to use the tablets and download apps specific to their industry.”

Stellar Blue started as a Web design firm seven years ago. Local founders Jim Dobinski, Dustin White and the late Cathy Wunrow worked from virtual offices in their homes and in the field. That’s still mostly how the staff operates.

“We have 12 employees and 300-plus clients,” said Betts. “And now a studio space we can have some fun with.”